You are here:

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Biography

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Versatile and prolific, the American writer Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, was born Phyllis Dean Reynolds in Anderson, Indiana. She is best known for her books for children and young adults. Her most famous is the novel Shiloh (1991; film, 1996), which won the Newbery Medal. The two sequels are Shiloh Season (1996; film, 1999) and Saving Shiloh (1997; film, 2006). Since the appearance of the story collection The Galloping Goat (1965) and the children's novel What the Gulls Were Singing (1967), Naylor has published more than 120 books; among them are the Bessledorf comic mysteries for children (The Mad Gasser of Bessledorf Street, 1983), two gothic Witch trilogies (Witch's Sister, 1975; The Witch Returns, 1992), and the York trilogy (Shadows on the Wall, 1980), about a teenage time-traveler seeking a cure for Huntington disease. Her most popular series has followed Alice McKinley, a motherless girl, from sixth grade in The Agony of Alice (1985) to her high school years in Alice on Her Way (2006); there are more than 15 books in the series.

Calling Naylor a craftsmanlike writer with a distinctive voice, critics appreciate her ability to create believable, appealing young adults dealing with such serious issues as death (A String of Chances, 1982), mental illness (The Keeper, 1986), and right-wing militia movements (Walker's Crossing, 1999). Other popular books include Night Cry (1984) and Bernie Magruder and the Bats in the Belfry (2004). Also notable are the children's comedy Beetles, Lightly Toasted (1987); and the picture book Please Do Feed the Bears (2002).

Yes, the last Alice book, and it reveals everything you’d want to know. Alice McKinley is going to college, and everything will change. Alice puts her best foot forward and steps into the rest of her life. Just how crazy will her life get? Will Alice and Patrick stay together? As Alice knows, life isn’t always predictable, and more than a few curveballs will be thrown her way.

Everything Alice has ever known is about to change --- from where she sleeps at night to how close her closest friends will be. So Alice is meeting that seasick feeling head-on by setting sail as staff on a Chesapeake Bay cruise ship. And like any last great adventure before starting college, Alice knows she’ll need sunblock, an open mind, and…oh yeah, all her best girlfriends.